The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ), and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) are committing to collaborative advocacy efforts for legal recognition and reasonable regulation of the interior design profession through the formation of the joint Consortium for Interior Design.

ASID, CIDQ, and IIDA share the belief that the current state of interior design regulation should reflect the true impact of certified interior designers in protecting public health, safety, and well-being. However, many states currently do not recognize this impact or the extensive education and specialized knowledge of interior designers concerning safety solutions in the built environment. Today, interior design is regulated in 30 U.S. jurisdictions, and 15 of those states allow NCIDQ Certified interior designers to practice independently. The lack of modernized regulation not only poses potential safety risks to the public but also creates unnecessary bureaucratic and consumer costs.

These organizations have been working steadily with the greater interior design community to increase awareness of the role professional interior designers have in protecting the health, safety, and well-being of the public, and assist in the pursuit of new or modernized legislation establishing reasonable regulation and independent practice rights at the state level. This new Consortium will allow ASID, CIDQ, and IIDA to work more collaboratively and efficiently to advocate for policies that protect the public in the built environment. In addition to supporting existing advocacy efforts, ASID, CIDQ, and IIDA will pool resources for state advocacy efforts to jointly embark on new advocacy opportunities and develop national resources for state advocates.

ASID, CIDQ, and IIDA are calling on the interior design communities nationwide to take an active role in the profession: standing up for better health, safety, and well-being of the public by advocating for legislation that expands or modernizes practice rights and reinforces the critical role interior design plays within the built environment. The voice and involvement of practitioners in these efforts is crucial to success at the state level.

For more information about the Interior Design Consortium and recent legislative developments, contact Lauren Earley, Esq., ASID Associate Director of Government and Public Affairs; Matt Barusch, CIDQ, Government Affairs Manager; or Marci Merola, IIDA Director of Advocacy.